Centrifugal concrete molding machine



March 21, 1950 w s 2,501,427

CENTRIFUGAL CONCRETE MOLDING MACHINE I Filed April 8, 1947 s Sheets-Sheet 2 l v [I 52/ 52 92 90 II I'll - WW 3m March 21, 1950 H. A. WIESNER 7 2,501,427

CENTRIFUGAL CONCRETE MOLDING MACHINE Filed April 8, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. 5

Inventor Henry A. Wiesner w ly Patented Mar. 21, 1 950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CENTBIFUGAL CONCRETE MOLDING MACHINE Henry A. Wiesner, 'L'e'may, Mo.

Application April 8, 1947, Serial No. 740,119

effects of centrifugal force, thereby producing a better finish and asuperior article.

An additional, object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangement for controlling the,

rotation of amold; for agitating the contents of a mold to produce more uniform filling of the mold; and for readily stopping. the rotation of the mold after centrifugal force has been applied to the contents.

Another important aim of the invention cone sists in providing a novel and superior fastening means for centering, ,journaling and supporting a mold-for rotation. l

Still another intention of the inventionfis to provide a combined mold filling, and centering agitating the mold to pack its contents and to rotate the mold as desired for. applying centrifugal force thereto; wherein an improved. arrangement of brake means is provided for stopping the rotation of the mold as-desired; and wherein conveniently and accessibly disposed control mechanism is provided for actuating each of the,

above instrumentalities.

These, together with various ancillary objects of the invention whichwill later become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this device, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings, wherein;

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, parts being broken away, and an alternative position in the operation of the device being indicated by dotted lines; Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the device taken at right angles to the showing of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus;

Figure 4Iisafragmentary view, taken chiefly in vertical longitudinal sections, certain parts being shown in elevation, and illustrating the construction of the rotatable base of the apparatus;

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the section line 5-5 of Fig ure 4. and illustrating. the rotating gearing of the device;

Figures 6 and l are horizontal sectional views taken upon the section line 6-4 of Figure 4, and illustrating respectively an electr c-magnetically operated and a hydraulically operated brake means for stopping the rotation of the mold;

Figure, 8 is an elevational view, parts being broken away and shown in sections,v of a mold and, a portion of its supporting base, and effectingtheoperationof the device;

Figure 9 isan enlarged fragmentary view, taken in, vertical transverse section through the filling neck ofthe mold'and associated parts; and,

Figure I0 is a horizontal sectional detailed view taken substantially 'upon the section line Ill-l0 of Figure 1.

Referring now more specifically to the accompanyin'g drawings, wherein like numerals indicate similar partsfith'rou'ghout the various views, In designates a bed plate of any suitable construction, and which may if "desired be rigidly secured,

as by bolts 12,, to any suitable foundation indicated generally as Ill, although it is to be understood that this base'may be made portable in any suitable manner, when preferred.

As shown best'in Figures 1 and 2, a framework comprising a 'pair of standards I6 are vertically disposed upon the base orbedpla'te l0, being suitably s'ecured thereto as by welding or the like l8, these standards being disposed in parallel relation as shown in Figure 2, and being rigidly braced from the base plate It or by means of inclined straps 2'0 whichif desiredmay be welded to the bed plate l0 andto the standards [6.

As shown best in Figure 3, the standards H5 at theirupper extremities are each provided with a laterally extending terminal portion 22 to which is secured as by pivot pins 24, a pair of inwardly and .angularly disposed arms '26 adapted to have pivoted 'or oscillatory 'motion'upon the standards I Attention is next invited to Figure 4, wherein it will be seen that the bed plate I0 is provided with a suitable depressed well or cupped shaped socket 28 while a tubular cylindrical casing 30 is disposed above the 'bedplate II] in alignment with this socket and has its lower end annularly enlarged as'at 32 for engagement with the bed plate.

A vertically disposed axle or shaft 34 having its lower end conically tapered as at 36 to conform generally to the tapering bore of the-socket 28, is suitably journaled for rotation in the casing 36 and socket 28 by means of lower and upper anti-friction roller bearings indicated at 88 and 48. Suitably secured upon the upper end of the axle 84 is a ring gear 42 which as shown in Figure 5, is in mesh with a driving gear 44 driven by an electric motor or the like 46 suitably secured to the exterior of the casing 38 adjacent the upper end.

Rigidly secured to the upper extremity of the shaft or the axle 34, for rotation therewith, is a base plate 48, which may be of any suitable shape but is preferably circular or annular as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5. The gearing 42 and 44 is disposed together with the driving motor 46 immediately below the under surface of this base plate in the interest of compactness and simplification of the rotating means of the device.

As shown more clearly in Figures 1 and 2, a pair of electro-magnetically operable vibrators, indicated generally at 58, and which are preferably of conventional and well-known design, are secured in a detachable manner to the upper por tion of the casing 30, in a position adjacent to the motor 46, these vibrators having upwardly extending plungers 52 adapted during operation to impact upon and vibrate the base plate 48 and the mold detachably secured thereto, in a manner to be subsequently set forth.

Suitable electric cables or conductors 54 and 56 extend from the electro-magnetic vibrators 58 and the electric driving motor 46 respectively, and are respectively connected to foot operated switches or control means 58 and 68 which are connected to a suitable source of electric power as by cables 62. Preferably, the foot operated switches are disposed adjacent the bed plate I8 in convenient position for ready manipulation by an operator of the device.

Electrical conducting means indicated at 64 extends from the foot operated switch or control I6 to the interior of the brake casing 32 of the housing38, the arrangement preferably being such that the brake operating circuits to the cable 64 is alternatively applied in alteration with the operation of the electric motor 46 through the cable 56. In other words, the motor 46 and the electro-magnetic brake operating means are ultimately operable by an actuation of the double acting switch 60. The construction of this switch, and of the electro-magnetically operable brake may be of conventional design and form no part of this invention, Figure 6 indicating diagrammatically for explanatory purposes only a suitable type of electro-magnetically operable brake. As will be seen by reference to Figures 4 and 6, the axle 34 within the angular drum or housing 32, is provided with an angular enlargement 66 which may be provided with a suitable peripheral friction lining or the like, and which is encircled by a pair of contractlble semi-circular brake shoes 68, having fixed pivots III at one end thereof and an electro-magnetic solenoid I2 connected to their opposite extremities. Obviously, upon energization of the solenoid I2, the brake shoes 68 may be selectively applied or released to the enlarged annular brake drum 66, thereby stopping the shaft 34 from rotation and securing the same in stationary positions. Obviously, suitable spring means, not shown, may be provided for automatically releasing, or applying. the brake shoes as desired.

Alternatively, a hydraulic brake system may be employed instead of an electro-magnetic brake mechanism if desired. For this purpose, as shown in Figure 7, the enlarged brake drum 66 upon the axle 34 may be selectively engaged by the semicircular brake shoes 68 pivoted as at I0, while the opposite end of these brake shoes may be connected as by a hydraulic pressure as by means of a conduit I6. Any suitable control means may be provided for actuating and controlling the application of and release of pressure to the hydraulic cylinder 14 in response to the above mentioned actuation of the foot control switch in the manner above mentioned.

In accordance with the principles of this invention, a mold of any suitable type, and indieating as being of cylindrical shape, is shown at 18 in Figures 1, 2, 8, and 10. This mold preferably consists of a hollow, generally cylindrical casing formed in complementary vertically divided halves, detachably secured together as by flanges 89 and bolts 82. The interior of the mold may be of any suitable shape consistent with the purposes intended, and is illustrated as being of generally cylindrical contour with its lower extremity of tapering or narrowing diameter while its upper extremity is pointed in order to form a concrete article suitable for use as a practice bomb or projectile. The upper portion of the mold I8 is further provided with an upper open-ended neck portion 84 having a generally conical internal surface 86. This upper neck portion 84 and its internal surface 86 provide a means for receiving an improved construction of mold filling means,

. and further serves to journal or support the mold for rotation in a manner to be subsequently set forth.

As shown more clearly in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the upper surface of the annular, rotating base plate 1. 48 is provided with a plurality of adjustable jaws or brackets 88, which are adjustable radially of the center of rotation of the base plate as by means of fastening bolts 90. As shown best in Figure 3, the brackets 88 are preferably L-shaped,

-. with their upwardly extending legs being adapted to engage and embrace the outer circumference of the lower end of the mold 18, while the horizontally extending legs are longitudinally slotted as at 92 for sliding movement upon the adjusting bolts 90. clamps 88 may be adjusted to accommodate molds of various sizes and for readily centering the same upon the axis of rotation of the base plate 48.

Attention is now directed to Figures 1, 3. and 9 for a clearer understanding of the mold journal ng and filling means. The angularly disposed arms 26 are connected with the outwardly extending handle 96, by means of a connecting portion consisting of a hollow annular ring 98. Thus,

as shown in Figure 3, the handle 96 and arms 26 are generally arranged in Y-shaped formation with the hollow ring 98 being at the junction of the arms and legs of the Y. The ring 98 is provided with diametrically disposed transverse slots I08 within which are received for a limited lat-.

eral movement, a pair of laterally extending pins I02 secured at diametrically opposite points upon the outer circumference of the neck portion III4' or collar IIO freely rotatable upon the neck portion of the funnel. The outer surface of the ring I I0 is so contoured and shaped as to have a snug By means of this construction, the

5 1- and-"tignt 'suesn fit withtlierabove mentioned: conical borevflii B'y th-is means, when tl're h'andica 96 andarms -26i arelower'ed the nu I- I O ie-tightly disposed With-in the: conical bore 86 ot the" neck" portion 84 of *tli'e mold, said ring and necki por tion of the mold being thus freely rotatable and inner contour of the mold, andceoperate there with in forming a. pointed noseuponthe article to be formed in'the mold; Thus; wherrthe mold is rotated; after the same hassb'een suitably filled cementitious. or. concretetmaterial; through the filling t'funnel. I 06, therzstationary dietI t2; and its concave surface. I I4 .willzhaver relative rotary motion with regard to the mold, and thereby shapes the material in the mold to a pointed nose configuration as indicated by the dotted lines of Figures 1, 8 and 9.

A suitable hopper I I6 having a discharge neck I I8 and a discharge control means I20 is suitably mounted above mold I8 in a position to discharge its contents to the funnel portion I06 and thereby charge the interior of the mold.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the manner of operating the device will be now readily understood. A series of molds 18, of suitable shape and size, may be sequentially lifted by a crane (not shown) to the rotary base plate 48, clamped and centered thereon by means of the brackets 88, and th handle 96 then manipulated to position the filling funnel I06 within the neck of the mold in the position indicated in Figure 9. During this operation, indicated by the full line and dotted line showing in Figure 1, it will be seen that the handle 96 and legs 26 have an arcuate movement about the pivot pin 24. Since the collar III] which is to be forced into tight sealing engagement with the bore 86 will necessarily have a relatively straight line movement, a relative I displacement of the filling member upon the pivotal arms 26 will be necessary, this displacement being permitted by the pin and slot construction I and I02. When positioned in the manner shown in Figure 9, the filling funnel I06 and its neck I04 are supported in a stationary position upon the standards I6, while the collar I I0, tightly fitted into the bore 86 of the neck 84 in the mold I8, is rotatably journaled upon the neck of the filling funnel by means of the anti-friction rollers I08. Thus, the mold I8 is rigidly attached to the base plate 48 at its lower end and is rotatably journaled upon a bearing member consisting of the collar I I0 and the anti-friction rollers I08. A suitable charge of concrete or other material is now delivered from the hopper I I by means of the control member I into the funnel portion I06, and thence passes into the interior of the mold I8. Obviously, as this material piles up or accumulates in the mold, it will tend to reach a shape indicated by the dotted lines I22 of Figure 8. However, either during the filling of the mold or after the mold has been substantially filled, the electro-magnetic apparatus 50 may be now actuated to jar and shake the mold and its contents and cause the material to thus assume a substantially level position within the mold. This vibratory movement of the support plate 48 and mold I8 is indicated by the exterior dotted line showing of Figure 8. After the mold has been suitably charged and filled, and the vibratory treatment iscompleted;to causeza uniform packs ing orpdensityiofthe concrete WithiIILthEiiIllOldi; the *clectric motor:-is=-now operated; to; cause-rota tion of the; mold, whereby. the centrifugal force;- produced will causetaany BXCGSSlll'lOlStll-IYEK.Within the concrete to be hurled: againsttheainneri cire cunrferencer of the; mold, thereby. producing: a. smooth? finish: upon: the 1 concretew article; within:

thesmold;

It should be; here; noted that. the automatic brake:- means andzremovingit from the base=plate, and is. an important advantage rof .thisrinvention';

After the. mold.has.ibeenxchargedi'and rotated; the die member II2 being held stationary will produce a smooth conical point upon the material within the mold during the rotation thereof. After this treatment is completed the filling funnel may be elevated, the clamps 88 loosened and the mold and its contents removed from the base plate 48 by a second crane or the like, not shown. The entire treatment of placing a mold upon the rotating plate, charging the same, agitating and rotating the contents and then. removing the mold will require a relatively small period of time whereby a large number of molds may be handled and treated by this apparatus with a minimum of labor and with a considerable saving of time.

After the molds and their contents have been removed from the rotatable plate 48, they may be permitted to set or harden for a considerable length of time, and the molds then removed from the concrete article therein, and then renewed.

Since various modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art after a study of the foregoing specification and accompanying draw ings, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, but all suitable modifications may be resorted to :and falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A centrifugal concrete molding machine comprising a base, driving means for rotating said base, a mold having a neck at its upper end, means for detachably retaining and adjusting said mold upon said base radially of the center of rotation thereof, vibrator means for agitating said base, a support adjacent said base, a funnel, means for pivoting said funnel upon said support for removably positioning said funnel within said neck, a die in said funnel for molding the upper end of the concrete, and a member in said neck for axially journaling the upper end of said mold, said driving means including a vertical casing, a shaft rotatably journalled in said casing and supporting said base for rotation therewith, and a brake mechanism mounted upon said casing and operatively engageable with said shaft.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein a driving motor is mounted on said casing and gearing interconnecting said motor and said shaft.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said vibrator means is mounted on said casing and operatively engages said base.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein a driving motor is mounted on said casing and gearing interconnecting said motor and said shaft.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said will? be: continuously applied: throughout: the. shaft. against. rotation, as well. as theemoldz I8 attached'toi' the. baseplate'48; exceptlwhen the motor. 46 is energized to: produce; rotation; This facilitateszchargingof the mold and handling of the same insecuringthe mold to.

2 mold retaining means includes spaced adjusting nuts carried by said base, and substantially L- shaped brackets having vertical legs adaptedto engage the outer circumference of said mold and horizontal legs including longitudinal slots for slidably engaging said nuts.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said member includes a collar and anti-friction rollers interposed between said collar and said funnel.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said mold retaining means includes spaced adjusting nuts carried by said base, and substantially L- shaped brackets having vertical legs adapted to engage the outer circumference of said mold and horizontal legs including longitudinal slots for slidably engaging said nuts.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said means for pivoting said funnel upon said support. includes angularly disposed arms pivoted at one of their extremities to said support, a

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,984,197 NePage Dec. 11, 1934 1,984,863 Clark et al. Dec. 18, 1934 2,388,569 Petersen Nov. 6, 1945 

